Madison Memorial defeated De Pere 75-62 in the WIAA Division 1 state semifinal, thanks to a strong second-half performance. Madison Memorial, now 27-2, will face top-ranked Wisconsin Lutheran in the state title game. The game featured 14 lead changes by halftime, with Memorial eventually pulling ahead through a decisive 19-5 run in the second half. De Pere, the No. 2 seed and previous state champions, struggled to maintain momentum after the initial competitive stages. De Pere's coach acknowledged the challenges presented by Memorial's aggressive play and strategic zone defense.

By the Numbers
  • Madison Memorial shot 70% from three-point range (12-for-17).
  • De Pere had a team high of 19 points from Jack Bookter, while Anthony Miller led Memorial with 22 points.
State of Play
  • De Pere was making its first state appearance since winning the state title in 2023.
  • Madison Memorial's victory sets them up for a title shot against Wisconsin Lutheran on March 21.
What's Next

Madison Memorial will play Wisconsin Lutheran in the state championship, while De Pere will regroup after their unexpected semifinal exit. The outcome highlights the competitive landscape of Wisconsin high school basketball as teams vie for state glory. De Pere will look to build on their experience for future seasons.

Bottom Line

De Pere's semifinal loss underscores the importance of capitalizing on opportunities and protecting against momentum shifts in critical games. Their players' commitment and effort are commendable, but the game serves as a learning moment for future competitions.